Mannheim Steamroller Albums (28)
'Christmasville'
Release Date 10/7/2008
Tracks 12
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'A Candle Light Christmas'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 10
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Christmas Song'
Release Date 10/9/2007
Tracks 12
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Christmas Traditions'
Release Date 1/1/2007
Tracks 35
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Romantic Themes'
Release Date 1/4/2005
Tracks 12
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Christmas Celebration'
Release Date 10/12/2004
Tracks 18
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Everyone's favorite new age synthesizer/acoustic trio returns with a twenty-year retrospective of holiday traditions; easily their strong suit and what they are most famous for in the public eye. Recorded live at over six venues on their latest tour, the group presents a balance of contemporary favorites, international Christmas standards and traditional religious hymns. A guest appearance by Johnny Mathis on "O Tannenbaum" definitely ranks among the highlights; as well as their anthemic rendition of "Deck The Halls." And while those loyalists most likely already have performances of most of these tunes, it's still a fun little disc that brings out the joy and spirit of the holiday season. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
'Halloween: Monster Mix'
Release Date 9/21/2004
Tracks 16
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Halloween'
Release Date 9/23/2003
Tracks 23
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Halloween is further proof that Chip Davis and his American Gramaphone outfit plan to provide and market proper musical accompaniment for all holidays, themes, and moods. Davis and his Mannheim Steamroller hit that categorical trifecta in 2003 by releasing three discs within months of each other: Romantic Melodies (mood), American Spirit (theme), and Halloween (holiday). While Romantic Melodies collected previously released compositions from the Fresh Aire series and American Spirit combined old and new material, Halloween features original, Mannheim-style arrangements of appropriately dark classical pieces and a few new Davis compositions, with only a couple of catalog songs revisited to pad the disc. This ultimately helps make Halloween's music the best among these three highly marketable products. Creepy classical pieces usually heard around the holiday by composers such as Bach, Wagner, and Mussorgsky are given the signature synthetic Mannheim flare while going light on the scare. Davis' playful approach gives these standards a more comical feel, as if they were to be included on a soundtrack to a Munsters movie rather than a frightening monster movie. Grieg's Hall of the Mountain King is the most effective of these pieces as ghostly groans accompany the pizzicato string melody that is backed by an almost danceable drumbeat. Davis' own compositions, both old and new, serve the theme quite well, with the chugging rhythm of Rite of Twilight being the most interesting and amusing as strains from the theme song to TV's Twilight Zone provide the song's foundation. In addition to the music, a second disc of sound effects is included that is meant to be "shuffled" along with the music disc on a multi-CD player. While it may be utilized to good effect in conjunction with the music, on its own the "EFX" disc is quite repetitive and banal with a large portion of the tracks centered around the sounds of a nighttime forest enhanced by a synthesizer and only a few eerie sounds heard during The Other Side and Mountain King. Although Mannheim Steamroller may not provide any real thrills or chills for the holiday, it does emphasize (and synthesize) the happy in Happy Halloween, as the disc's jovial atmosphere makes one prone to having simple, pumpkin-carving fun rather than actually Smashing Pumpkins. ~ Aaron Latham, All Music Guide
'American Spirit'
Release Date 5/20/2003
Tracks 13
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
American flag-waving hit a fever pitch following the events of 9/11, and along with it came a flood of Americana-related merchandise and music that utilized the Stars & Stripes in just about every way imaginable. As this patriotic sentiment was still riding high on amber waves of grain, Chip Davis chose to exhibit his American Spirit from atop his famous Mannheim Steamroller. Not unlike most superstar acts, Mannheim Steamroller has become more of a corporation than a musical entity with recent discs and related products that seem to focus more on theme and sales rather than the intricate and fascinating sounds of the early Fresh Aire and Christmas series. American Spirit is comprised of popular American songs, sentimental spoken word recitations, and even a couple of old hit songs, all of which are tied together with a big red, white, and blue bow to craft a perfect patriotic gift. Several of the songs are either re-recorded or taken directly from previous releases, like the track "Yellowstone Morning," here celebrating its third incarnation; or "Convoy" and "Wolf Creek Pass," Davis' early hit collaborations with Bill Fries (aka C.W. McCall). The Davis original, "Mt. McKinley," features the signature Mannheim synthesizer/orchestral sound. ~ Aaron Latham, All Music Guide
'Christmas Extraordinaire'
Release Date 8/14/2001
Tracks 12
Label American Gramaphone
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Longtime holiday favorite Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Extraordinaire is yet another holiday collection by the group. It's not much of departure from Mannheim's other holiday collections. If anything, it aims to resurrect the spirit of preceding holiday releases by Mannheim. There's a good chance if you enjoy other Mannheim holiday albums you'll enjoy this one. It's not one of the group's more noteworthy releases, but it should please Mannheim's devoted following. Some of the featured songs include "Hallelujah," "White Christmas," "Away in a Manger," and "Winter Wonderland," among others. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
